You might be wondering if salt is acidic or alkaline.
Each salt out there is different, but the average table salt is around a 7 pH which makes it neutral, which is neither acidic nor alkaline. Not all salts are the same though, some are acidic, and some are alkaline.
Below we will get into salts acidity in more detail and if you should take salt if you have acid reflux or digestive problems.
Is Salt Acidic?
The average table salt usually sits around a pH of 7. This is considered neutral and not acidic though each salt is different and while the average salt is around this pH not all salts are like this.
For example, sea salt tends to be more alkaline than the average table salt. This is because it’s more natural and less processed than the average table salt you might have.
Keep in mind that every salt out there has varying levels of compounds in them which not only affects their taste but also their acidity levels.
Overall though you can assume salt to be around a neutral pH of 7. Salts that are less natural and more processed tend to be more acidic. More natural salts tend to be more alkaline than that, but the average tends to fall around that 7 pH mark.
Different Kinds of Salt
Below we want to give some important notes on a few different kinds of salt to explain the differences between them and what you can expect when eating them.
Table Salt
Arguably the most popular salt is simple table salt. This is usually the most acidic of the salts out there.
This is because table salt is typically processed more. The processing often can make the salt more acidic. Also, with some salts you have additives such as sodium hexacyanoferrate, or calcium silicate which are both anti caking agents. Added ingredients like this tend to make the salt more acidic.
It tends to be the case that salts with these added ingredients tend to be more acidic and more harsh on digestion and acid reflux than other salts.
Sea Salt
Sea salt overall tends to fall above the 7 pH which makes it alkaline.
Sea salt is more pure than table salt and is usually a better choice for people with acid reflux due to its more pure nature.
Pink Himalayan Salt
One of the more alkaline kinds of salt is pink Himalayan salt. The make up of this salt tends to be even more alkaline than sea salt.
Because of its overall alkaline properties and it being completely natural, it makes for one of the best salts for people with acid reflux.
Is Salt Bad for Acid Reflux?
Generally, salt is fine for most people even with acid reflux. This is because salt is relatively simple without much or any additives and tends to fall around the 7 pH which means little, or no irritation caused to the stomach and digestive system.
For people with more severe acid reflux like GERD or silent reflux though salt might want to be considered.
The main thing to look out for here is if you have acid reflux it’s best to opt for the more pure salts.
Sea salt is a good choice because it tends to be more alkaline than typical table salt. Though the best kind of salt in our testing was pink Himalayan salt, it’s completely natural and tends to be more alkaline than even sea salt. For more information on salts check out our complete acid reflux diet plan – Wipeout Diet Plan.
If you have acid reflux it would be best to avoid regular table salt due to it being more acidic than the other more common salt alternatives mainly due to being processed and more additives like anti caking agents being added.
Sea salt is a fine choice, but if you have the option we recommend going for pink Himalayan salt due to its great taste and more alkaline makeup.
If you have more minimal acid reflux we suggest to just avoid the typical table salts, but most other salts should be completely fine for you. Even sea salt is a good choice if you prefer.
We Recommend:
Salts that are not grounded as much are less likely to cause acid reflux, and they also have more nutrients inside. Nutrients that include minerals such as potassium, calcium, and iron. Therefore, its slightly better to opt for more coarse salts than fine ones and grind them yourself when needed.
Keep in mind salt should be kept in moderation for everyone and foods that are highly salted are more likely to irritate acid reflux symptoms.
The important thing to remember here is too not take too much salt but in moderation it is completely fine.
Interesting Related Questions
Are Salts Considered Acid?
Salts are not considered acid and a lot of salts are not even acidic.
What is the pH of Salt?
The average pH of salt sits around a pH of 7. Some salts can be more acidic and some more alkaline.
This is often because of the different makeup of the salts or due to the salts being processed and added ingredients being added to the salts which often make them more acidic.
Which Salt is Least Acidic?
Some of the least acidic salts include Celtic Sea salt and pink Himalayan salt.
Both salts are great choices for people with acid reflux or more sensitive digestive systems.
Don’t forget to check our detailed acid reflux diet plan – Wipeout Diet Plan.